Released by a B-52 at an altitude of 25,000 feet, and speed of Mach 0.76, JASSM navigated through a preplanned route before destroying its intended target, meeting all mission objectives. The test validated software upgrades for 158 Lot 8 JASSM missiles, which will begin delivery in third quarter 2011.

“Flight validation of JASSM’s software enhancements continues our efforts to expand missile capability and demonstrate reliability,” said Alan Jackson, JASSM program director in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “Additionally, we are constantly striving to make JASSM more affordable for our customers.”

JASSM is a critical weapon for the U.S. Air Force. The program has over 1,400 missiles on contract, with more than 1,080 delivered. Also produced for foreign military sale, baseline JASSM is integrated on multiple aircraft including the B-1, B-2, B-52, F-16 and F-18 aircraft. F-15E integration is proceeding as planned with the F-35 designated as a future platform.

Armed with a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, JASSM and JASSM-ER cruise autonomously day or night in all weather conditions. Both missile variants share the same powerful capabilities and stealthy characteristics, though JASSM-ER has more than two-and-a-half times the range of baseline JASSM for greater standoff range. Both 2,000-pound cruise missiles employ a state-of-the-art infrared seeker and Global Positioning System receiver to dial into specific target aimpoints.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.